Griff 500 Alternator/electric probs

[john sumner1]

I've had a problm with the voltage output on the alternator. The gauge reads 12 volts (Should read 14 v plus), and when the alternator was tested on the car whilst the car was running, also registered 12 volts, so I thought a new alternator would solve the problem. Not so! Even with a new alternator it still registers 12 volts at the gauge and I noticed neither the ignition light nor the oil pressure light came on when I turned on the ignition key. The car runs ok, has normal oil pressure, and starts first time every time but, I'm worried that if I take it on any sort of a journey then the battery will run flat.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

regards

John

[spend]

Sounds like your dash may not be feeding the gauges / leds (warning lights) 12v. The alt needs 12v on the sense wire to get it started (energise the field coils)

Dave

[john sumner1]

spend said:

Sounds like your dash may not be feeding the gauges / leds (warning lights) 12v. The alt needs 12v on the sense wire to get it started (energise the field coils)

Dave

Thanks Dave

You are responding as if I know the feintest thing about electrical wiring - I don't! can you explain what you mean by "The alt needs 12v on the sense wire to get it started (energise the field coils)"

cheers

John

[spend]

Awkward sod!

If you have a multimeter, connect to a good ground the black prong and the red one to the green/brown (IIRC - single thin wire & not black) connector/wire on the back of the alternator. When you (or your glamorous assistant - can I still say that - if you are gay I really didn't mean it BTW [just in case UF is still stalking]) switch the ign on you should see 12v on your multimeter.

If you don't it is quite likely that you need to pop the dash off & look for a break in the proliferation of green wires (prob where a load are bunched together).

Dave